Drunken walking regulations have been implemented. Could these regulations extend to apprehend individuals not only behind the wheel but also those on foot?
In Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced changes to the country's intoxication testing rules, clarifying that these changes apply exclusively to drivers and not to other road users. This policy shift corresponds to the government's ongoing efforts towards decentralization and de-bureaucratization.
The main innovation in the new rules concerns the form of approval, which is now a ministerial order instead of a government decree. This change is expected to simplify the procedure for adopting such documents in Kazakhstan.
The basis for referral to intoxication testing remains the presence of signs suggesting that the driver is in a state of intoxication. Refusal or evasion of testing by a driver may lead to an administrative case under Article 613, Part 4. The penalty for such an offense includes a 15-day arrest, and in some cases, an eight-year driving ban.
Rumors about intoxication testing for pedestrians have been circulating on social media and appeared in some media outlets. However, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan has debunked these rumors, stating that they are not accurate. Pedestrians are not subject to intoxication testing under the new rules.
A driver in Kazakhstan has the right to refuse an alcohol test using a tester and demand testing in a medical institution. The algorithm for intoxication testing remains the same in Kazakhstan.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs also clarified that no additional procedures are being introduced for other road users regarding intoxication testing. This assurance aims to alleviate any concerns about increased scrutiny for pedestrians and other non-driving road users.
In a recent statement, the deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan, Murat Abenov, commented on the treatment of electric skateboards, but the Ministry's focus remains on clarifying and enforcing the new intoxication testing rules for drivers.
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